DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – As it makes the switch from carburetion to fuel injection in 2012, NASCAR has announced that Bosch will be its exclusive oxygen sensor supplier beginning next year. As an exclusive NASCAR Performance partner, Bosch will supply special wide-band oxygen sensors, specific to NASCAR vehicles, which will provide essential data to the fuel injection engine management system.
 
Beginning with the 2012 Daytona 500, all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racecar engines will be fuel injected. An onboard computer will control the fuel injectors, using input from the oxygen sensors in the exhaust to determine the exact fuel provided to the airflow just as it is entering the cylinder. Several NASCAR teams have been testing fuel injected engines on-track to see how the new systems operate in actual racetrack conditions.
 
“We are pleased to partner with Bosch to ensure a seamless transition as we move to fuel-injected engines and outfit each car with two oxygen sensors,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “This technology will provide the opportunity for greater fuel efficiency and maximize each race team’s ability to get the most performance from their fuel-injected engines.”
 
Every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car will be equipped with two oxygen sensors in the exhaust system to monitor the level of unburned oxygen in the exhaust, and therefore the engine’s relative “rich” or “lean” operating condition.
 
“Oxygen sensors relay vital information on engine performance to the vehicle’s engine management system, which controls the fuel injectors and determines how the vehicle reacts to race conditions,” said Wolfgang Hustedt, Bosch Motorsports manager, North America. “This change to fuel injection will give NASCAR teams enhanced control over their vehicle performance, and the oxygen sensors are vital in maximum but flexible performance at each track.”